Iraq-born superstar architect Zaha Hadid has expressed her disappointment at being underutilised by Middle East clients.

During a RIBA conference in the UK, Hadid was quoted as saying: “I think the Arab world has not really made use of me very much, which is a shame and a great loss to me.”

She stated that, as an Arab, she wants to contribute to the societies in Middle East and North Africa. “It’s not for the leadership, it’s for the people, and any project in that part of the world would be an improvement,” she added.

Hadid’s practice has bid to design a 45,000-seat stadium for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with the winner to be announced at the end of the year.

She has also designed the completed Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi, as well as the Performing Arts Centre on Saadiyat Island.